Onix Tubing Installation Manual

This Onix Installation Manual represents the
collective knowledge of thousands of our cus-
tomers who have been kind enough to furnish us
with ideas and techniques that have worked for
them. We have selected the best of these ideas
and rigorously refined them.
This refining process is based on the collective
wisdom that comes from having an engineering
and technical staff with over 200 years of
combined experience with modern floor heating
and snowmelting. Please take the time to
carefully read this manual before installing your
floor heating or snowmelting system.
PLEASE NOTE:
This manual only covers installation of Watts Radiant’s
Onix hose, and should not be used for the installation of
our cross-linked polyethylene products, RadiantPEX
®
and
WaterPEX
®
.
This is not a design manual. For design assistance, we
encourage you to contact us or our representatives for a
design analysis using Watts Radiant’s RadiantWorks
®
system design software.
Before designing or installing a radiant heating or snow-
melting sytstem, you should always consult with local,
experienced design and installation professionals to ensure
compliance with local building practices, climate conditions,
state and local building codes, and past customs.
Used when placing a new
radiant slab directly
over an existing slab.
A great application
when the slab will
be subjected to heavy
loads.
Where space permits, we recommend the use of extruded polystyrene
(Dow
¤
Blue Board
¤
) insulation at the perimeter of the new slab.
The use of poly-fiber material in the new concrete slab will add crack
resistance.
In this application the Onix can be tied to rewire or poultry netting
depending on the structural needs of the project.
Slab over Existing Slab
Fasten the Onix in place
and then cover it with
a minimum of 2" of
portland concrete mix
above the top of the
Onix. More may be
required depending on
structural loading.
Use a foil-faced insulation for this application, with the foil facing up, and
a 2" minimum air space between the foil surface and the steel deck.
Sprayed-on insulation also works well in this application.
Slab over Steel Deck
This is the most popular
application in snow-
melting and it
provides the best
snowmelting
performance.
Install Onix midway in the slab or at a depth that will provide a minimum
of 3" of concrete over the top of the Onix. More may be required depend-
ing on structural loading.
The size and spacing of Onix varies widely in snowmelting projects and is
based on many variables. Always refer to specific design information for
the project.
Drainage is important in snowmelting. Make sure provisions are made to
safely carry away the melt water.
Note that insulation is not required in this application.
Typical Slab Snowmelt
This is a popular choice when
brick pavers are being
installed in an entrance,
courtyard, driveway or
other outdoor area
where snow and ice
removal is needed.
Onix is installed in a sand or crushed stone base, then secured with wire
hooks every two feet along its length. A layer of sand is then placed over
the Onix and compacted to provide a minimum of 1" coverage above the
top of the Onix (more may be required depending on structural loading).
The brick pavers are then installed on the compacted base material.
The size and spacing of Onix varies widely in snowmelting projects and is
based on many variables. Always refer to specific design information for
the project. Drainage is important in snowmelting. Make sure provisions
are made to safely carry away the melt water.
Note that insulation is not required in this application.
Brick Paver Snowmelt
Warm up a concrete slab to provide space heat.
Install a minimum of 2" of
concrete above the top of the Onix for
residential and 3" for commercial floor heat
applications.You may need a greater
thickness over the Onix, depending on
structural loading.
Use an extruded polystyrene (Dow
¤
Blue Board
¤
)
insulation board on the edge of, and optionally under
the slab, depending on site conditions.
Slab on Grade
Snowmelting Applications